Nowadays, writing an original work in academics is crucial. As such, every graduate has to present either a thesis or a dissertation before completing their studies. Moreover, examiners use such a composition to assess crucial abilities of a graduate student to research independently. However, a principal difference between a thesis paper and a dissertation is not clear for some individuals. In this case, people have to complete this type of paper, which is different from a dissertation in terms of scope and a specific number of people involved. Further on, presented guidelines include a definition of what is a thesis paper, its purpose, and its format, with some prompts to consider for ideas. Then, students need to learn what is thesis writing with its distinctive features, including a master’s academic level. Moreover, a 5-chapter technique may be useful for those who want to write a master’s document or follow step-by-step when organizing its basic structure. Finally, people should review what examples they can include in their master’s papers and what they should avoid.
General Aspects
A thesis paper is one of the types of papers, as it is an empirical research study that is innovative work done by students. Basically, a master’s thesis relies on data produced through an experiment or observation. In this case, an empirical study requires a student to gather reliable data rather than opinions. Further on, thesis writing becomes an original piece that indicates crucial abilities of a person to carry out independent research. In particular, completing a whole project shows key skills of a student to conduct original research, write a literature review, collect relevant data, scrutinize results, discourse conclusions, and draw implications. Along these lines, students have to explore a topic exhaustively. Besides, they should demonstrate independent thinking and interaction with a chosen problem. Thus, this type of paper is a unique work that students must complete and differs from a dissertation because of its scope.
What Is a Thesis Paper and Its Purpose
According to its definition, a thesis paper is a formally written academic document that presents a student’s research on a unique topic within a specific field of study. For example, the main purpose of writing a thesis paper is to demonstrate a student’s ability to engage in independent research, present a well-structured argument, and contribute original insights or solutions to a particular academic question or issue (Ormrod, 2023). Basically, this type of document presents an original argument or a specific research question supported by thorough investigation, analysis, and critical thinking. Further on, through extensive research, critical analysis, and systematic methodology, students must support their claims or findings in a clear and persuasive manner (Single & Reis, 2023). In turn, writing such compositions helps people develop key academic skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and in-depth knowledge of a specialized subject, and serves both as a requirement for degree completion and as a foundation for future scholarly work. Moreover, a writing objective is not only to showcase mastery of a subject matter but also to refine research skills, strengthen argumentation, and build academic rigor (Zaumanis, 2021). In terms of pages and words, the length of a thesis paper depends on academic levels, institution requirements, and program objectives, while general writing guidelines are:
High School (Specialized)
- Length: 4-6 pages
- Word Count: 1,000-1,500 words
- Comment: High school papers are generally shorter and focus on basic analysis and argumentation skills.
College (Undergraduate)
- Length: 6-8 pages
- Word Count: 1,500-2,000 words
- Comment: Undergraduate theses may require more in-depth examination and analysis but are still introductory compared to graduate-level theses.
University (Bachelor’s Thesis)
- Length: 8-12 pages
- Word Count: 2,000-3,000 words
- Comment: Bachelor’s theses involve a more rigorous study and usually include a literature review, methodology, analysis, and conclusion.
Master’s Thesis
- Length: 10-20+ pages
- Word Count: 2,500-5,000+ words
- Comment: Master’s thesis writing is more extensive, involving original research or an in-depth review of existing knowledge, and the level of analysis and originality is expected to be high.
Ph.D. Dissertation
- Length: 12-30+ pages
- Word Count: 3,000-7,500+ words
- Comment: A Ph.D. dissertation represents significant original research, with extensive data collection, analysis, and discussion, and it is a major scholarly contribution to a specific field.
Scope
A thesis paper has a narrow scope when compared to a dissertation. For example, dissertations include a theoretical rationale that relates to a specific problem (Zaumanis, 2021). As such, a doctoral student must go into a deeper breath when preparing a dissertation. Moreover, a dissertation develops or refines a theory and requires a large sample size and richer qualitative analysis than a master’s paper. In writing, a dissertation has to cover a more comprehensive knowledge range. Therefore, thesis papers cover a narrower area of knowledge than a dissertation.
Examiners
A master’s thesis involves fewer examiners than a dissertation. For example, doctoral students should form a committee that consists of a chairperson and members of a relevant faculty (Single & Reis, 2023). In this case, a dissertation requires a larger committee that serves as readers and evaluators. Hence, a scholar has to defend a dissertation proposal to a committee before proceeding with an actual study. Moreover, a writing process requires a student to work with an assigned faculty chairperson. In turn, a master’s student does not have to select a committee to evaluate his or her work. On the contrary, a faculty assigns a student a supervisor who guides a research process. Thus, a dissertation involves more people than is required in a standard thesis paper.
Format
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Title Page | A unique thesis paper’s title, author’s name, institution, department, advisor’s name, and submission date. |
| Abstract | A brief summary (250-300 words) of an entire thesis paper, including a research question, methodology, main findings, and conclusions. |
| Acknowledgments | An optional section to thank individuals or institutions who helped in a research process. |
| Table of Contents | A list of all paper’s writing sections and subsections of an entire document with page numbers. |
| List of Figures and Tables | A list of all paper’s figures and tables used in a thesis paper with page numbers. |
| Introduction | An introduction to a chosen topic, background information, research problem, objectives, and a scope of a study. |
| Literature Review | A review of an existing body of literature relevant to a topic, identifying some gaps in knowledge, and establishing a foundation for a project. |
| Methodology | A description of a unique research design, methods of information collection, and some data analysis techniques used, justifying an approach taken. |
| Results | A presentation of the study findings without interpretation, including some figures, tables, and charts to display data. |
| Discussion | An interpretation of the results, explaining their significance, relating them to a research question and existing literature, and discussing limitations and possible implications. |
| Conclusion | A summary of key findings, their implications, and some suggestions for future examination or practical applications. |
| References/Bibliography | A list of all academic sources cited in a thesis paper and its writing, following an appropriate citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, etc.). |
| Appendices | A supplementary material, such as raw data, questionnaires, or detailed calculations, which are not included in a main body of a paper. |
Note: Some writing sections of a thesis paper can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, depending on institution requirements, disciplines, and countries. For example, a standard thesis paper format is an organized structure and layout that outlines how an entire content of a project should be presented in sections, like an introduction, literature review, methodology, and references (Single & Reis, 2023). In writing, a thesis paper typically ranges from 10 to 300 pages, depending on an academic level, with undergraduate compositions being shorter and Ph.D. dissertations often exceeding 100 pages. Further on, a principal difference between a thesis and a research paper is that the former presents an author’s original research and conclusions as part of a degree requirement, while the latter analyzes and synthesizes existing knowledge on a specific topic (Ormrod, 2023). Basically, a thesis paper is written by students pursuing a master’s or bachelor’s degree as a requirement for completing their academic program. However, a thesis paper for a master’s degree is an in-depth academic project that demonstrates a student’s ability to conduct original research, critically analyze available information, and contribute new knowledge or insights to a specific field of study (Lewis et al., 2021). In turn, an example of a thesis for a master’s paper is: “This study examines an impact of remote work on two key factors, such as employee productivity and job satisfaction, arguing that flexible schedule arrangements lead to improved work-life balance and increased overall performance.” Finally, a thesis or dissertation conclusion typically ranges from 1 to 10 pages, depending on an overall length of a project and a complexity of the research findings (Zaumanis, 2021). As such, to start a thesis paper, people begin by selecting a relevant and manageable topic, then craft a clear inquiry statement that defines their research question or argument and outlines a unique purpose of their study.
Prompts
- Cybersecurity Measures: Protecting Personal Data in the Digital Age
- Influence of Colors on Mood and Behavior
- Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership Positions
- Exploring the Future of Renewable Energy Sources
- Innovative Approaches to Cybersecurity in Modern Businesses
- Cultural Shifts in Privacy Perception Post-Social Media
- Impacts of Flexible Work Arrangements on Employee Engagement
- Urban Resilience Strategies in the Age of Climate Change
- Machine Learning in Predicting Patient Outcomes in Healthcare
- Influence of Social Media Algorithms on Political Discourse
- Ethical Dilemmas in Human Gene Editing Technologies
- Sustainable Agricultural Practices to Combat Global Food Insecurity
- Blockchain Technology and Its Role in Enhancing Cybersecurity
- Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treating Anxiety
- Intellectual Property Rights in the Global Fashion Industry
- Green Energy Adoption Challenges in Emerging Economies
Thesis Writing
A thesis paper relies on an independent and original scientific study. For example, students complete thesis writing to demonstrate their ability to identify a unique subject, choose an appropriate research method, gather relevant data, and draw independent conclusions (Ormrod, 2023). Hence, such a paper is more intensive and complicated than research papers since it requires a student to develop a unique study question, gather relevant information, improve a purpose and data collection instrumentations, analyze relevant data to make inferences, and work under a close supervision of a committee.
Developing a Unique Research Question
A first step in writing any thesis paper is to develop an outstanding research question. For example, a student must brainstorm some topics and theories that he or she would like to explore (Zaumanis, 2021). In writing, a compelling exploration of relevant theoretical background helps scholars to identify knowledge gaps. Besides, this type of writing must focus on answering a research question considered for examination. As a result, identifying a key question is an essential part of writing a master’s paper.
Gathering the Information
A second step in writing is to gather the information that is relevant to a research question developed. For example, one must identify a valid theoretical framework by covering a defined research question (Single & Reis, 2023). Along these lines, extensive research helps students to become well-informed about a chosen topic, know a specific scope of an entire examination done by other scholars, and develop a purpose for a project. Hence, one must gather thorough information about a research question to gain a necessary understanding.
Improving Objectives and Collection Instrumentations
A scholar should develop purpose and research instrumentations that suit his or her writing. For example, people must identify key objectives of their projects, and these goals determine appropriate study instruments they may use (Ormrod, 2023). Basically, one must identify and consider essential data collection instruments and write about them. In this case, an entire apparatus should be acceptable for academic purposes, and a person must investigate the most suitable methods for collecting and evaluating relevant data. Therefore, students must identify a specific scope of a master’s paper and the most appropriate ways to collect data.
Analyzing a Relevant Data
A student must collect the relevant data and analyze it to answer a question under evaluation and achieve an entire purpose of thesis writing. For example, one must gather relevant data to write up a draft of a project (Zaumanis, 2021). In particular, people set up a pilot study to evaluate an overall effectiveness of the data collection methods. Besides, they may hire assistance with coding and recording data and analysis where necessary. In turn, theses involve a rigorous data collection approach that makes it different from a research paper.
Supervision Committee
A student writing a master’s paper must work under a supervision of a committee. For example, people must work together with a supervising committee throughout a whole process of preparing a master’s paper (Single & Reis, 2023). On the other hand, a committee provides necessary guidelines while allowing a student to work independently. As such, writing a thesis differs from organizing a research paper since a student should rely on a supervising committee.
Key Takeaways on Thesis Writing
A master’s assignment requires a student to create a unique research question. For example, people must gather relevant information to establish the objectives with its instrumentations (Ormrod, 2023). Besides, they must analyze relevant data to make inferences. In turn, every student must work under a supervision committee during a whole writing process.
Key Features of a Master’s Thesis Paper
Presenting a master’s paper is an essential working component of graduate education. For example, a master’s thesis is a formal product that acts as a culmination of a graduate work (Single & Reis, 2023). In this case, such a document must be an original work that contributes to knowledge. Further on, an entire work must have a unique structure to meet academic criteria and writing standards. Particularly, a master’s paper is original research on a specific topic related to one’s field of study and entails an executive summary, statement of a problem, review of current literature, methodology, findings, results, and discussions.
Research on a Topic
Master’s students must complete original research on a topic related to their field of study. For example, master’s theses allow graduate students to complete original research that is relevant to their area of specialization (Ormrod, 2023). Through practical support from academic advisors, graduate students select a unique topic, and they plan, collect data, interpret, and report their findings. As a result, students complete individual research that contributes to knowledge in their graduate work to write about.
Executive Summary
A master’s thesis covers an executive summary that includes key aspects of a research paper. For example, this section summarizes a specific topic, problem, objectives, research questions, relevant literature, methods, results, and significance of a study (Zaumanis, 2021). Basically, writing such a summary must involves an overview of a whole document. Thus, a master’s paper should have a fitting executive summary.
Problem Statement
A master’s paper should have an introduction that presents a statement of a chosen problem. For example, every master’s thesis must focus on addressing a knowledge gap (Ormrod, 2023). In writing, an introduction section should identify a problem that students solve through their analysis. Besides, research questions and hypotheses should accompany a statement of a problem. Hence, an opening part of a master’s work must identify a knowledge gap and appropriate study questions and assumptions.
Review of Literature
A master’s work in writing should have a comprehensive literature review. For instance, this section reveals a relationship between a topic and a significant body of literature (Dhillon, 2022). In this case, a literature review relates a problem to current trends in a given field of study. Thus, a good master’s paper must have a relevant literature review section.
Research Design
Writing a master’s thesis relies on acceptable methods to gather, analyze, and interpret data. For example, students must disclose some methods used to complete an entire work (Zaumanis, 2021). In this case, a methodology section must entail crucial steps followed to gather relevant data, investigate, and make relevant interpretations. Besides, a practical methodology section helps to establish processes used to complete an entire study.
Research Relevance
A scholarly paper must show an actual relevance of a project. For example, a good master’s paper must contain findings, results, and discussions (Single & Reis, 2023). Basically, these writing sections help to give a deeper meaning to the findings, and they reveal an actual significance of a whole work to existing knowledge. As such, the findings, results, and discussions make a master’s work relevant to an area of expertise.
Uniqueness
A master’s thesis entails original research on a specific topic related to a field of study. For example, all scholarly papers must have an executive summary and an introduction with a statement of a problem (Ormrod, 2023). Furthermore, other relevant sections include a review of current literature, methodology, findings, results, and discussions. In turn, a next level in this type of writing is an organization of a doctoral dissertation or Ph.D. thesis.
5-Chapter Technique
A question of how to start a thesis is a general issue that students face each year. In particular, they must develop their projects on a specific topic or issue. For example, this assignment differs from other essays because of its complexity (Single & Reis, 2023). As a result, people need more information on how to write a thesis to cover all the necessary points, while they can use a 5-chapter technique for organizing their documents. Moreover, students develop such a project in a final year of their university studies. Unfortunately, not all individuals are aware of the expectations and the means to achieve them in different types of papers (Ormrod, 2023). In this case, writing a master’s paper must cover a rigid framework that entails 5 mandatory sections: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, and discussion.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Firstly, people should provide a legitimate purpose in answering how to write a thesis. For example, a person must provide an explanation of its significance in an “Introduction” chapter (Single & Reis, 2023). Basically, students demonstrate their understanding through an in-depth discussion of a study’s contribution. In writing, they also cover fundamental theoretical principles of a discipline that justifies a purpose statement. Hence, this chapter presents a specific issue that people must cover in a master’s thesis or a dissertation. Additionally, it touches on primary theories within a discipline that make an idea viable.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Secondly, students must develop a chapter titled “Review of a Literature” in their thesis writing. For example, a literature review is founded on theories initially identified in a previous chapter and analyzes existing knowledge on a topic that is relevant to a theoretical approach (Ormrod, 2023). In this case, people must identify and examine a previous body of knowledge on a topic of interest. As such, a main goal of a literature review is to establish an extent of research in a specific field. However, a principal task of an author is also to provide some gaps or evidence for a replication of previous examinations to address specific deficiencies.
Chapter 3: Methodology
Thirdly, people must cover a “Methodology” chapter to explain a research approach. For example, students must describe and justify various data sets, research designs, and data analysis procedures (Zaumanis, 2021). Moreover, they must subject their study methods to both logical and theoretical standards, defending an overall validity of an outcome. Hence, scholars must explain a detailed process of data collection and analysis in writing to allow for a replication of a study.
Chapter 4: Findings
Fourthly, scholars present the study results in a “Findings” chapter. For example, this section is based solely on an outcome of the data analysis and does not mention other literature (Ormrod, 2023). Basically, people must explain the results of descriptive analyses in detail. Furthermore, an outcome of tests carried out for each hypothesis should be described. In writing, more detailed information is summarized using tables and graphs to provide a target audience with a complete picture of the findings.
Chapter 5: Discussion
Lastly, students finish a study with a conclusive “Discussion” chapter. For example, a person has not completed a thesis until a discussion of the findings is done in a context of theoretical principles and findings of earlier studies (Single & Reis, 2023). In principle a real essence of writing a master’s paper is to compare and contrast the results of this project and other earlier studies. However, people also must explain how an outcome fits into an existing body of knowledge. Therefore, students need to explain some implications and limitations of an entire study.
Individual Research
Individual research can be simplified by understanding a relationship between key sections of a thesis and their specific contents. For example, 5-chapter writing segments can be main parts of standard theses (Ormrod, 2023). However, there may be slight modifications to some contents of each chapter, and it depends on a research design and method chosen.
Steps on How to Write an A+ Thesis Paper
To write a thesis paper, people start by selecting a focused topic, conducting thorough research, developing a clear thesis statement, organizing their findings into a structured outline, presenting each section clearly and coherently, and revising thoroughly for clarity and accuracy. For example, people should refer to chapters in their thesis or dissertation by their specific titles or chapter numbers, ensuring consistency and clarity throughout an entire text (Ormrod, 2023). In writing, a list of abbreviations is not mandatory in a thesis or dissertation, but it is recommended if a paper uses numerous abbreviations to help readers to easily understand various terms. Moreover, a thesis or dissertation outline is a structured plan that organizes main sections and sub-sections of a paper, helping to guide a writing process and ensure a logical and coherent flow of ideas (Single & Reis, 2023). Finally, basic writing steps include:
- Choose a Topic: Select a unique topic that is relevant, manageable, and of personal interest.
- Conduct Preliminary Research: Gather initial information to understand a background and scope of your topic.
- Develop a Thesis Statement: Craft a clear, concise statement that defines a central argument or research question.
- Create an Outline: Organize a paper’s structure of your project by breaking it down into sections, like an introduction, literature review, methodology, etc.
- Write an Introduction: Present a chosen topic, research problem, objectives, and significance of your study.
- Conduct Detailed Research: Collect data, analyze existing literature, and gather evidence to support your study.
- Write a Literature Review: Summarize and evaluate existing knowledge and literature related to your topic.
- Explain a Methodology: Describe some study methods used, including data collection and analysis techniques.
- Present Results and Discussion: Report the findings of your examination and interpret their significance in relation to an inquiry statement.
- Write a Conclusion and Edit: Summarize main points, discuss implications, and revise an entire document for clarity and accuracy.
Basic Structure
It is not a secret that many students want to find information on how to organize a good thesis with a correct writing structure. For example, a key reason for this question is that this paper will significantly contribute to their educational and personal goals (Single & Reis, 2023). In simple words, a specific grade on a project has a huge influence on academic performance and an overall future of students. Unfortunately, many sources do not include important information on key parts of such papers. As a result, people lose their points because they do not know how to organize their studies correctly.
General Provisions
Thesis writing is a final skill for university students. For example, to structure a thesis paper, people organize an entire composition into key sections: introduction, literature review, methods, key results, discussion, conclusion, and references, following a logical flow from a research question to findings and implications (Ormrod, 2023). Basically, it is one of the types of papers that they have to master before concluding their programs. In this case, a first step in mastering this skill is knowing specific details of a well-written document. Therefore, if someone wants to know how to write a good scientific paper, it requires that a person have a good understanding of an entire content of 5 primary segments in a master’s thesis: introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion.
Introduction
An “Introduction” section plays a crucial role in informing an intended audience concerning a unique content of a thesis. For example, a first statement must be a significant scientific problem, and a whole project aims to discuss or solve it (Single & Reis, 2023). In writing, a hook statement draws in a target audience and ensures people are aware of an content they are about to read. Further on, the rest of an introduction paragraph should provide a concise interpretation of relevant fundamental theories, recent works, and scope (Busse & August, 2020). Hence, an entire answer to a question of how to organize a good composition is to cover an accurate introduction because an opening section presents a complete picture of an issue of concern to readers. Moreover, this writing part makes a clear distinction between existing studies and a person’s new contribution through a research question. In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning a thesis paper are:
- A primary objective of this thesis paper is to understand key complexities of [topic], examining its broader implications for [specific field or industry].
- In light of recent advancements in [topic/field], this study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of how these developments have reshaped people’s understanding of [specific issue].
- This report seeks to investigate underlying causes of [issue] with a focus on how it affects [specific population or field] while proposing potential solutions based on empirical data.
- Over the past decade, significant attention has been given to [topic], yet little research has addressed [specific gap], which this paper aims to explore in depth.
- By conducting a thorough examination of both historical and contemporary perspectives on [topic], this study aims to offer new insights into an evolving nature of [issue].
- This project will focus on understanding a complex connection between [two factors] in shaping [specific outcome], addressing a critical knowledge gap in a current body of literature.
- Given a growing concern surrounding [issue], this project will analyze an impact of [factor] on [specific group or industry], drawing from both qualitative and quantitative data.
- This dissertation is designed to explore how [theoretical concept] can be applied to solve [real-world problem], providing a fresh approach to a longstanding challenge.
- While many studies have focused on [aspect of topic], this project seeks to broaden such a scope by examining [another aspect] and its potential consequences for [field or discipline].
- A key aim of this research is to critically assess a role of [technology/policy/etc.] in addressing [issue] and evaluate its effectiveness in achieving [desired outcome].
Methods
A “Methods” segment explains some steps and underlying logic of experimental procedures. For example, an entire content of this section should facilitate an replication of a study (Single & Reis, 2023). In writing, people do it through a detailed description of procedures, materials, and theories. Moreover, a well-authored methodology does not leave any gaps in a systematic process of realizing the results. Additionally, there should be adequate citations for an audience to access a detailed description of specific analytical processes.
Results
A central output of analysis described in a “Methods” part is presented in a “Results” section. For example, people explain the key study findings in much detail without any exclusions or interpretations (Zaumanis, 2021). Essentially, this section is a statement of observations made during a study. In writing, an author’s presentation of findings should maintain a logical structure. As a result, it allows a target audience to understand a relationship between the results and research questions.
Discussion
Discussing the results is an essential part of any master’s paper. For example, this part provides evidence to justify the proposed hypotheses (Single & Reis, 2023). In writing, a “Discussion” section contains a clear interpretation of the results, and people do it in a context of a literature review. Basically, they explain an extent to which an outcome of a project agrees or disagrees with previous studies. Moreover, students provide theoretically sound evaluations for each finding. As a result, a direct link between existing studies, results, and research questions should be made evident to an intended audience.
Conclusion
A “Conclusion” section is a final part of organizing a good thesis paper. For example, a reasonable conclusion contains a summary of a problem, main findings, implications, and future paths for research (Ormrod, 2023). In writing, a conclusion part is a brief overview of an entire study, and this section provides a target audience with the most significant information generated through a whole project. Hence, this final part of a master’s paper does not contain any new information or interpretations.
Learning Objectives
Learning how to write a good thesis paper takes a lot of time and effort. For example, students must present a detailed content with primary elements of a good master’s project (Single & Reis, 2023). They can also include other elements, such as acknowledgments, references, table of contents, title pages, abstracts, and lists of figures and tables. In turn, these writing elements have no profound effect on an overall quality but are merely included to support a main structure of this type of paper.
What Examples to Include
| Example | Description |
|---|---|
| Historical Context/Background | Provides relevant background information to give a unique context to a project’s topic. |
| Definition of Key Terms | Defines specialized or technical terms used throughout a thesis paper for clarity. |
| Research Gaps | Highlights some knowledge gaps to justify an actual need for an entire study. |
| Hypothesis/Central Argument | Presents a main idea, thesis statement, or hypothesis driving a whole project. |
| Case Studies/Examples | Includes relevant examples or case studies to support arguments or provide evidence. |
| Data Analysis | Analyzes collected data, either qualitative or quantitative, to support the study findings. |
| Real-World Applications | Discusses practical applications or implications of a conducted experiment in real-world scenarios. |
| Ethical Considerations | Addresses any ethical issues or concerns that arise from a research process. |
| Comparison With Previous Studies | Compares and contrasts some findings with a previous body of knowledge to show how it contributes to a specific field. |
| Visual Aids (Charts, Graphs, Tables, etc.) | Utilizes charts, graphs, tables, or diagrams to clearly present the data and findings visually. |
Common Mistakes
- Choosing an Overly Broad Topic: Selecting a topic that is too general makes it difficult to conduct a focused and meaningful examination.
- Weak or Unclear Thesis Statement: A poorly defined inquiry statement can confuse readers and weaken an overall argument of an entire paper.
- Insufficient Literature Review: Failing to thoroughly review existing research limits a project’s foundation and its contribution to a specific field.
- Inadequate Research Methodology: Using improper or poorly explained study methods can lead to unreliable results and weaken your findings.
- Not Following a Required Structure: Ignoring a standard thesis format can make a whole paper disorganized and difficult to follow.
- Lack of Clear Argumentation: Not presenting logical and well-supported arguments weakens a paper’s persuasiveness.
- Inconsistent Citations and Referencing: Incomplete or incorrect citations can result in plagiarism or discredit a whole project.
- Poor Time Management: Starting too late or mismanaging time can lead to rushed research and writing, affecting an overall quality of a document.
- Ignoring Feedback From Advisors: Dismissing feedback from your advisor may result in overlooked mistakes and missed opportunities for improvement.
- Neglecting Proper Editing and Proofreading: Failing to thoroughly revise a document leads to grammatical errors, unclear writing, and a lack of coherence.
Summing Up
From its simple definition, a thesis is an advanced research paper prepared by students. In principle, writing such a document differs from a doctoral dissertation in scope and involves more people. Further on, this type of document has a narrower range than a dissertation. In this case, students have to complete an in-depth exploration of a proposed topic. Besides, they have to select a larger committee to assess their dissertations. As a result, students work together with assigned supervisors and write their master’s papers.
References
Busse, C., & August, E. (2020). How to write and publish a research paper for a peer-reviewed journal. Journal of Cancer Education, 36(5), 909–913. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-020-01751-z
Dhillon, P. (2022). How to write a good scientific review article. The FEBS Journal, 289(13), 3592–3602. https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16565
Lewis, K. B., Graham, I. D., Boland, L., & Stacey, D. (2021). Writing a compelling integrated discussion: A guide for integrated discussions in article-based theses and dissertations. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 18(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijnes-2020-0057
Ormrod, R. P. (2023). How to structure a thesis, report or paper: A guide for students. Routledge.
Single, P. B., & Reis, R. M. (2023). Demystifying dissertation writing: A streamlined process from choice of topic to final text. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Zaumanis, M. (2021). Write an impactful research paper: A scientific writing technique that will shape your academic career. Independently Published.